A day to remember for Surrey's women: recalling the T20 triumph of July 2025

Across the English Channel the nation's football Lionesses were entering a penalty shoot out against Spain in the European Championship final. As the Surrey players spilled onto the outfield to celebrate, each successful England penalty and each Spanish failure was greeted with roars that echoed around the Oval.

I had been commentating on the final for the BBC and made my way through photographers, who were busy capturing Surrey’s celebrations, to grab an interview with Bryony Smith before she lifted the trophy. As I asked my first question the ground erupted again as Chloe Kelly calmly slotted the ball past the Spanish goalkeeper and Surrey’s magnificent achievement had become part of the country’s wider celebrations.

That Sunday was also justification to Emma Calvert, Surrey's Director of Women’s Cricket, for all the hard work that had been put into becoming a professional set up. “I remember arriving at the ground before the first game and there was a queue of spectators waiting for the gates to open,” she told me.” I had a real pinch-me moment, because although performances on the pitch are important to me, growing this incredible sport is also so crucial.